Unsung heroes of Independence

Many Nigerians participated in the struggle for Independence. But, some of them have not been honoured or immortalised. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the role of the forgotten heroes.

The battle for Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960 was fought by Nigerians from all walks of life. They were inspired by the love for their fatherland. Beyond the notable heroes and celebrated nationalists, there are countless others who are not so well known, but who equally paid a prize for the liberation of the country from colonial rule. Some of them suffered incarceration and even lost their lives in the struggle.

At independence, many thought it was the beginning of a new dawn. With the advent of self rule, they thought the problems would disappear and the generality of Nigerians would savour the fruits of independence. But, it didn’t happen that way. The independence of the country has been preserved and some minimal gains have been recorded. But the dreams of the founding fathers have been dashed. Many of the heroes of the struggle have remained unsung.

Adegoke Adelabu

Adegoke Adelabu was a strong and vocal politician from Ibadan. He was fierce and outspoken in his days and he made remarkable impact in the struggle for independence. He won a seat in the Western Regional House of Assembly and served as Minister of Social Services and Mineral Resources as a member of the House of Representatives. As a colourful politician, he left his imprints on the sands of time. He coined the word Penkelemesi, meaning ‘peculiar mess.’

He was a member of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He contributed to the socio-political development of Nigeria. He struggled for the independence, but he never lived to witness the attainment of that status. In the parliament and Council of Ministers, his ideas gave birth to productive agricultural policies, especially the River Basin Development, Mass Literacy Scheme and the indigenization policy, which he put forward in 1957.

His death in 1958, at the age of 43, unleashed communal violence in Ibadan. He was the first opposition figure to die in office. Although, he passed on at a time the country needed his parliamentary service most, the country has done very little to appreciate his contribution as the opposition leader in the Western House of Representatives.

The uncompromising politician had a turbulent career and was arraigned for 17 times for murder, but he triumphed in all the charges proffered against him.

Mary Okezie

Mary Okezie was the one of the prominent women that led the Aba Women’s Riot in 1929. She was a teacher at the Anglican Mission School, Umuocham, in the present day Abia State when the riot broke out. She was very sympathetic to the cause of the rioters. Nevertheless, being a civil servant, she could not directly participate in the protest against the census, which was widely regarded as a prelude for the imposition of more taxes by the colonial government.

Okezie submitted a memo to the commission of inquiry on the reason why the riot broke out. She founded the Ngwa Women’s Association in 1948 to promote the education and welfare of women.

Ladipo Solanke

Ladipo Solanke was a political activist with unparalleled record. He joined the Union of the Students of African Descent and championed the cause of the emergent students of African descent. He led the West Africa Students Union (WASU) and was responsible for securing hostel accommodation for students in London.

He taught Yoruba among Nigerian students in London, who did not show much interest in African tradition and culture. He later became a broadcaster. His voice was popular on the radio, where he utilised the Yoruba Language to dish out propaganda against colonial rule. His leaflets, written in English and Yoruba, also caused panic in the rank of the colonialists. He devoted a significant portion of his time towards the betterment of the life of the people. He travelled around the sub-continent to get relief materials for the West African students and achieved a considerable success. The student body he left fought relentlessly for emancipation from imperialist domination.

Solanke however did not live to witness the independence of Nigeria; he died in 1958 from lung cancer.

H.O. Davies

Hezekiah Oladipo Davies, popularly known as H.O. Davies, was a nationalist and lawyer, whose contribution to the Nigerian nation was momentous. He was prominent in the emerging trade union in the country and fought colonial administration through legal protests. His grandfather was from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. He was the Secretary-General of the Lagos Youth Movement, which later transformed in the Nigeria Youth Movement (NYM). The NYM was a political association that became a thorn in the flesh of colonial government. He left the association in 1951 and formed his own political party, the Nigerian Peoples’ Congress (NPC).

He later joined the NCNC, where he and his co-travellers impacted in the polity of the country. A successful lawyer, he was honoured by the Queen of England for his distinction. He was a delegate to the Economic Council of the United Nations in 1964.

Sir Adeyemo Alakija

Sir Adeyemo Alakija was a lawyer, businessman and politician. He was the President of the Nigerian Youth Movement. He was a co-founder of the Daily Time of Nigeria, an independent newspaper that shaped the post independence era. He was largely behind the success recorded the NYM in Lagos politics.

The contribution made by the erudite lawyer to the attainment of independence through the NYM’s persistent struggle for self governance was remarkable. Alakija’s role in the brotherhood community of Free Masons was also legendary. The Egba chief was prominent in the formation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa and he became its first President.

Mukoro Mowoe

Mukoro Mowoe was the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which was founded in 1931. He rose to prominence in the 1920s through political activism. As a shrewd businessman and politician of the first generation, he deployed his wealth to negotiate a better position for the Niger Delta. He became a thorn in the flesh of the colonialists in the march to independence.

He was elected from the Warri Province to the first Western Regional Assembly in 1946. His role could be compared to those of foremost nationalists like Jaja of Opobo, Nana Olomu of Ebrohimi and William Pepple of Bonny.

The UPU, which he co-founded, established the Urhobo College, Effunrun, the institution that became the citadel of learning in the country. He never succumbed to imperialist intimidation.

Eniola Soyinka

Eniola Soyinka co-founded the Egba Women Union with Mrs. Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti. Soyinka is the mother of renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The women activist played a prominent role in decongesting Nigeria of colonial manipulation. She was fully involved in organising workshop for illiterate Egba women to make them understand their rights as citizens.

The contribution of this rights activist remained indelible in Nigeria, yet nothing significant has been done by succeeding administration to appreciate her efforts.

Ernest Ikoli

Ernest Ikoli hailed from Bayelsa State. He was a journalist by profession. He was one of the nationalists who fought for independence of the country. He could be described as a forgotten hero of the modern Nigeria. Ikoli, H.O. Davies and Samuel Akinsanya founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934. He rose to become the President of the organisation. In 1942, he represented Lagos at the legislative council.

He was not only advocating the end of colonial rule in Nigeria, but led an attack by over 1000 warrior against the Royal Niger Company trading posts. The attack on the British company led to reprisals, which eventually resulted in the British-Nembe war.

Joseph Tarka

Senator Joseph Tarka was one of the founding fathers of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). The union was dedicated to protecting the Middle Belt cause. By extension, advocating for self rule in Nigeria. He was elected to the Federal House of Representatives on a non party basis.

He later became the President of UMBC in 1957 and ensured that the Nigeria got independence through legislative pronouncement at the House of Representatives.

David Obadiah Lot

David Obadiah Lot was a religious leader from Benue State. He joined the political scene in 1940 to secure better political bargain for Nigeria. In 1946, he was part of the Nigerian delegation to London for a constitutional conference.

He used the Middle Belt Zone League (MLL) to pursue his dream of a better Nigeria. He was elected into the House of Representatives. Being a teacher, he groomed ardent followers who were sympathetic to the Middle Belt cause. He was equally vocal in the creation of separate state for the region in the Nigerian composition.

Dr. Akinwande Savage

The political activist was a member of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA). He was resident in Ghana when the issue of independence for African states took the front burner. He returned to Nigeria in 1915 and entrenched the NCBWA in the country.

Though, the congress did not perform up to expectation in Lagos. The domineering position of the Gold Coast group within NCBWA whittled its influence in Nigeria. The group supported local and tribal institutions to fight for self economic determination and governance.

Mojola Agbebi

Mojola Agbebi was a Baptist minister. He was formerly known as David Brown Vincent. But he later renounced the name during the wave of African nationalism. He was a strong supporter of self-rule. He used both religious and political platform to canvass for African rebirth and independence.

He played a prominent role in the establishment of the native Baptist Church now (First African Church) in Lagos. He supported his wife’s effort in establishing the Baptist Women’s League. He presented a paper at the first Universal Races Congress in London in 1911, canvassing for the return of African churches and territory to their original owners.

Chief Arthur Edward Prest

Chief Arthur Edward Prest was a prominent Itsekiri politician from the Warri division. He was police officer before he was elected as member of the Western Regional House of Assembly. He declared his support for the Action Congress in 1952, but left in 1957.

Bode Thomas

He was one of the founding members of the Action Group (AG). The politician called for strong regional based politics. This, according to him, would lead to competition among the regions for development and progress.

The lawyer championed the adoption of true federalism for Nigeria.

Gambo Sawaba

The uncompromising and radical female politician dominated the northern politics, calling the authorities to recognise the role of women.

Her bold initiatives came with useful results, as the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) took into cognizance programmes that elevated the women folk.